Rivers

MOSIEND Urges N’Delta Govs To Emulate Tinubu, Revamp Seaports

Published

2 years ago

September 29, 2023

Sequel to the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on Governors of the Niger Delta extraction to replicate same Ministry in their States to increase wealth creation.
MOSIEND said the creation of the ministry in the region would enhance revenue generation and employment to the teeming youths.
National President, MOSIEND, Comrade Kennedy Tonjo West, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
“The establishment of Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has opened the eyes of the people of the Niger Delta to know that our marine potentials have been poorly or inadequately harnessed and that this novel idea will boost the nation’s dwindling economy in the nearest future, if States, especially the Niger Delta, are able to think smart and explore it to their advantage.
“The Niger Delta region is richly blessed with untaped resources that can rapidly upscale revenue generation and economic growth, and we want the governors not to waste any time further.
“The opportunities in the marine and blue economy abound, hence, we should delve and explore, because across the globe, countries with littoral topography are consciously taking advantage of immense derivatives.
“This ministry at the centre is an open door to welcome yet another vista of boundless opportunities inherent in our region.
He insisted that the truth is, beyond oil and gas, Niger Delta communities are blessed, so in this harsh economic situation there is an urgent need for diversification and looking beyond oil and gas. The marine and blue economy is a promising outlook.
“What we really mean when we talk about diversification is that when people in the upland are talking about agriculture, we in the riverine should be talking about the maritime, as we call on Niger Delta governors to close ranks for the purpose of cohesion and regional growth to invest massively in the marine sector as this is the only way forward”, West said.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s approach looks promising to support any smart thinking region, and it is expedient for politicians and leaders of the Niger Delta to work together in achieving better results in the overall interest of the people of the region, especially now that there is a President who has good intentions for the region.
MOSIEND said creating the ministry at the state level is also a means through which the Federal Government can channel funds to develop the states through these ministries in the various Niger Delta states.
According to him, separating Marine from the Ministry of Transportation will make the states to focus on developing the potentials in the maritime domain and achieve great results.
“Go to Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states, they don’t have any activity to develop the maritime sector, and we need to now think outside the box to change the narratives; building the seaports and reviving the already existing ones are the only way forward.
“We are impressed with the appointment of our illustrious kinsmen and women into the federal cabinet, and we urge them to work with the Governors and Legislators to improve the infrastructures and well-being of the people.
“We, as MOSIEND, have, at several times, kicked against the continued concession of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Rivers State to Dangote and other users.
“It is not a wise decision as it makes no economic sense in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), or employment opportunities when compared with when the Federal Government was managing it.
“NPA used to be a beehive of activities, generating huge revenue for government and creating employment for thousands of unemployed youths. But today, the reverse is the case.
“The concession of NPA to Dangote crippled the economy of Rivers State. Look at the place, it is underdeveloped. It has become a graveyard where nothing is happening.
“If you see the place now, you will cry, even the bay has become dilapidated. Why is Dubai thriving, Is it not because of the sea? So, why are we concentrating on only Lagos State? Why don’t we develop the other seaports to generate revenue for the states and create employment for the masses?”
Comrade West insisted that reviving NPA, Port Harcourt, Warri Port, Calabar seaport and building the Agge Deep Seaport in Bayelsa and the Akwa-Ibom seaport will change the narratives in the Niger Delta, especially now that the Federal Government is rehabilitating Nigerian refineries to help the economy bounce back.
The Public, Privately Partnership (PPP) will be a best approach to reviving the seaports in order not to waste any more time, he declared.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

Published

21 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.

OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”

Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.

“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.

According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.

“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.

“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.

He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.

The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.

He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.

The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Foundation Distribute Bags N5m Worth Christmas Gifts In Bundu Ama

Published

21 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).

The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.

Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.

He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.

“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.

Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.

Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.

“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.

He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.

Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.

Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Youths Condemn Killings In Andoni

Published

21 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.

The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.

It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.

According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.

It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.

The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.

It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

By: King Onunwor